Music
Twenty years on from his debut album, the rapper takes us back to when he recorded the masterpiece.
It was groundbreaking: no one had told the tough-life tales in such a poetic, musical way before. The album is still lauded as a hip-hop touchstone by critics, fans and musicians alike – ScHoolboy Q is one example – and a 20th-birthday re-release includes demos, remixes and unreleased tracks. Nas took time out from the celebrations to take us back to the time he recorded Illmatic.
Illmatic is considered one of the most influential albums in hip-hop history. Were you aware back then you had a masterpiece on your hands?
Definitely, it was my intention to make this album a game changer. If we weren’t talking about it today it would have been just a fail. I definitely knew that this was special. I was excited and really happy because I knew I was coming to change things, for sure.
Looking back to 1994, do you remember the situation you were in when you recorded the album?
You know, I was just going about my day. There were certain places in Queensbridge to enjoy lunch and then take a ride around the city, go hang out with friends from different boroughs. We’d listen to a lot of music on the car radio. Anything from Gang Starr to Nice & Smooth to NWA. Run-DMC had a great song called Down With The King at the time.
On its initial release, Illmatic was not an instant success; from the record company’s point of view it fell below expectations in terms of sales.
It was difficult. On the West Coast, they were selling more records than anybody else and I was hoping to build myself up one day to help the New York side of rap up to do what they were doing over there. But when I dropped Illmatic it was clear I couldn’t sell like [Dr Dre’s] The Chronic. But I never had an album out, so I was happy to be heard and happy that people liked it.
How does it make you feel listening to Illmatic today?
I was forced to listen to it two days ago by my record company. I’ve got to say, it’s still a really good record. It’s a really good piece because it’s honest.
What helps Illmatic stand the test of time?
There’s a lot of historical value in there. Back then there was a killing of a guy named [Jose “Kiko”] Garcia in Washington Heights by the police that I mention in my lyrics. I talk about the Supreme Team, a drug gang in Queens, and their leader named Supreme, who is now locked up. I talk about Ron G who was a Harlem mixtape DJ who was really popular at the time. It was kind of the first time you’d hear street conversation by someone who knew these guys personally at the time.
There are rumours you’re working on a sequel…
Not really, nah. There’s no need for a sequel.
Read more about the songs that had an impact on Nas’ Illmatic album in the June 2014 issue of The Red Bulletin. For access to the international issue, download the free app for iOS or Android now.